Encouragement

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We all know (and feel) the aging process, so physically (and sometimes mentally) there may be some 'dangers' ahead.
You're probably thinking "Tell me something I don't already know!"

As I approach my 82nd birthday in July, I have to realize that I may possibly face additional health 'challenges' in the years ahead.

My precious wife, La Moyne has had a tough journey the past few years.
We form a 'team' as we try to help each other.
(Though sometimes it seems like it's the 'blind leading the blind').

We're both having memory issues and many times one of us will remember someone's first name and the other will recall their last name.
These days, I tell her that "One plus one equals one" :)

But more important than our 'partner support' is the support of our Almighty God.
He want us to know that we are His property and He wants to take care of us.
Permit me to emphasize the Spiritual side of life that can help.

Here are reasons for us to feel 'special' (and worthy) and that we should be cared for.
~WE ARE SPECIAL BY CREATION (Ps. 139: 13-14)
"I will praise Thee for we are fearfully and wonderfully made"

As a great opera singer was leaving to sing in England, his mother said,
"Son, remember WHO you are and WHOSE you are!"

~WE ARE SPECIAL BECAUSE OF THE CROSS...and our conversion!
If you were the only person who needed to be 'saved', Jesus would have died for you!

~NO MATTER HOW OLD nor WEAK, OUR BODIES ARE STILL THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
"Greater is the power within you than any power in the world"
We are to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits. (I Cor. 6:19-20)

~WE ARE SPECIAL BY THE CARE GOD GIVES.
The last few years have been 'tough sledding' physically for La Moyne.
Most of the time when she's ill or hurting, Lupus will 'jump onboard' and make things worse! We've depended on caring physicians and we thank God for them, but we mainly lean on the Lord....the Great Physician.

La Moyne has had to go through several tests recently as they try to find out what is making her so dizzy and having trouble walking (even with her walker). She said that when they did the MRI of her head last week, she kept her eyes closed and tried to quote every Scripture she could think of. She said that so many were ones that she learned when she was a teenager.

There's also a poem that she always quotes at stressful times:
"Be still O heart and calm thy fear...
And just remember God is near.
There is no cloud that can bedim
The loving, watchful face of Him.

No night so dark He cannot see,
So that should be enough for thee.
So sweetly rest, O heart.... be still...
Within the center of His Will."

II Peter 5:7 tells us to "Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you".
After all, you are one of His Creations and by Conversion, you are one of His 'specials'.

~WE ARE SPECIAL BY OUR COMMITMENT (Matthew 11:28-30)
Vs. 28: Be identified with Christ.....don't let anyone nor anything steal your identity!
Vs. 29: Be informed by Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible.
If we don't watch it, there are many 'gadgets' these days that can replace our time spent reading the Bible.
Vs. 30: Be involved for Christ...
~take His yoke upon you...
~get in the harness with Christ...
~become a TEAM with Him leading!

In the early U.S. history, the Moravians had a symbol which pictured an ox, a plow and an altar...followed by the words, "Ready for either".

At whatever age and circumstance, we are so blessed....because we are 'special' in God's sight. That should make you feel special (and needed) at whatever age!

Remember that you ARE special and God is preparing a special place for you called 'Heaven'.

While preparing this paper earlier today, I was reading "Sayings By Saints"
One was written by long time missionary, Amy Carmichael (1867-1951):

"Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay.
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that burn like fire.
Let me not sink to be a clod:
Make me thy fuel, flame of God."

One time when La Moyne was in the hospital with a bad Lupus flare, a friend made a banner and hung it on the wall.
It read: "Hangeth thou in there"

So...TIE A PRAYER KNOT and HANGETH THOU IN THERE".

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